5 Simple Reasons to work in the Automotive Mobility Industry:

Employers / Dealers

If you are interested in finding skilled entry level technicians we encourage you to complete the Technician Resource Job Order Form which will be forwarded to our partners at Lincoln Technical Institute, UTI and the PVA’s PAVE program. Each partner’s graduates not only have the technical training necessary to hit the ground running, they also possess the professional skills that ensure you are getting an effective, dependable and conscientious employee.

Fill out the form, right-click, print, save as pdf and return by fax to 813-962-8970 or email your completed form to recruiting@nmeda.org

We will forward your request to each of our partners at Lincoln Tech, UTI and the PVA PAVE program.

Susan English, Vice President of Career Services at Lincoln Tech, will direct your job order requests to the most appropriate Lincoln campus based on your requirements. A Career Services representative from the school will contact you directly and provide a profile of the qualified candidates that meet your staffing needs. UTI will post your requests online and on their campus for 60 days and forward suitable resumes. The PVA’s Senior Rehabilitation Counselor, Joan Haskins, will forward your requests on to one of 4 regional directors who will contact you if they have suitable candidates.

Reason #1

Better Pay

Would you prefer flat rate only on an hourly salary plus bonus incentives that let you share in the company’s rewards?

Technicians working at general automotive dealerships are generally paid by the amount of work they produce (known as “flat rate”) Under the flat-rate pay system, the technician is paid by the job. If a job that is estimated at one hour takes three, the employee is still paid at the flat rate — the equivalent of one hour. However, if he/she completes the work in just 30 minutes, he/she still receives the full flat rate. Although flat rate pay plans can look very attractive because of the opportunity to make more money in less time, more often they carry some big disadvantages. For example, most general automotive shops use commercial reference guides to determine the amount of time needed, or standard hours, to do general repair work. But repairs made under new vehicle warranties are governed by the manufacturers’ estimates of how much time it should take to do the job. These are often less generous, so technicians who work according to flat rates based on manufacturers’ estimates may end up with less compensation –sometimes one-quarter to one-third less. And, flat-rate pay systems can also result in lower paychecks during slow periods.

Unlike working for ordinary automotive dealers, technicians who work in automotive mobility earn better, more stable pay. Most NMEDA member automotive mobility dealers pay technicians hourly rates plus bonus incentives for meeting or exceeding productivity goals. This combined hourly plus bonus incentives allows you the technician to do your best work, be rewarded and share in the company’s success.

Reason #2

Better Hours

Would you like to work full-time plus many nights and weekends or traditional full-time (M-F) hours?

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report for 2010 stated that automotive technicians frequently work overtime. Because many shops are open late or on weekends, technicians at automotive dealerships may also have to work evenings, Saturdays and Sundays on a regular basis. The majority of all mechanics are employed full-time, but there could be very little time left over for family or social life.

Unlike technicians working in automotive service shops at dealers, techs in the automotive mobility industry experience very family-friendly full time work schedules. In our industry, it is rare for service departments to be open nights and weekends. Not only will you get better pay than at an ordinary automotive dealership, you’ll also get better hours allowing you to have a life outside of work.

Reason #3

Lower Turnover Rate

Would you like to be looking for a job again in a few months or have a long-term career?

A recent Harris poll, sponsored by Automotive Retailing Today, found that nearly 109,000 positions are vacant at U.S. automotive dealerships, with more than 36,000 of them in the service department. On top of that, many dealers are finding it more difficult to keep the employees they have. One study estimated the industry-average turnover rate for entry-level service technicians is about 60 percent! And when technicians leave one service job for another chances are they’re not happy. Automotive dealerships often have a hard time holding onto service department technicians for a variety of reasons, including flat rate pay plans and overtime evening and weekend hours. Unfortunately, many automotive technicians work like temp staff, bouncing from one employer to another.

Unlike automotive technicians working at dealerships, technicians employed in the automotive mobility industry experience substantially lower turnover. Many NMEDA dealers are first or second-generation family owned businesses and are highly motivated to recruit, train, and retain top talent for the long term. Because our industry is so specialized and so important for people with driving challenges, our dealer member owners and service managers want to keep the best and the brightest for the long term.

Reason #4

More Interesting Work

Would you like to be doing the same work day after day or use your knowledge and skills to creatively troubleshoot problems?

As mentioned in reason #3, our industry is very specialized and important for people with driving challenges. So, our dealer member owners and service managers want to keep the best and the brightest for the long term. Adapting & maintaining OEM vehicles to be safe, reliable, and accessible means of transportation for the mobility challenged requires constant learning, improvement, and creative problem solving. Unlike some automotive dealerships where you might be only changing brakes and oil all week long, your work as an Automotive Mobility Technician will be challenging and interesting. You will have to bring your “A” game to work every day and use your best technical skills to solve complex problems.

Reason #5

Making a Difference Every Day

Would you like a career that leaves you fulfilled at the end of the day instead of just tired?

Perhaps the most important reason why more technicians prefer working in the automotive mobility industry rather than at traditional automotive dealerships is the opportunity to make a difference every day for disabled and mobility-challenged customers. Our industry has a very appreciative customer base and that is because your work as a Technician helps ensure our customer’s independence and improves their quality of life. Your technical skills and knowledge give your customers one of the biggest gifts possible: their independence. So, think about it, would you rather do work that is meaningful, interesting, and long-term with better hours and pay or work somewhere else less rewarding? If you are up to the challenges and rewards, consider a career as a technician in the automotive mobility industry!

Here’s Where to Start the Process:

Do You Have Someone You’re Ready to Hire?

We supply a ready-to-use pre-hiring screening for Technician Candidates.

This screening includes a 25 question Mechanical Aptitude Test and our 75 question “test-only” Electrical Training 1 course. When you use this screening with several potential new hires, you can make “apples to apples” comparisons of several candidates you’re interviewing. Employers will be able to see the results in their NMEDA account under “Trainings”.The screening is $15 per candidate.